1
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Bhadsavle SS, Scaturro KZ, Golding MC. Maternal 129S1/SvImJ background attenuates the placental phenotypes induced by chronic paternal alcohol exposure. Reprod Toxicol 2024; 126:108605. [PMID: 38735594 DOI: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2024.108605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2024] [Revised: 04/17/2024] [Accepted: 04/30/2024] [Indexed: 05/14/2024]
Abstract
Paternal alcohol use is emerging as a plausible driver of alcohol-related growth and patterning defects. Studies from our lab using an inbred C57Bl/6 J mouse model suggest that these paternally-inherited phenotypes result from paternally programmed deficits in the formation and function of the placenta. The 129S1/SvImJ genetic background is typically more susceptible to fetoplacental growth defects due to strain-specific differences in placental morphology. We hypothesized that these placental differences would sensitize 129S1/SvImJ-C57Bl/6 J hybrid offspring to paternally-inherited fetoplacental growth phenotypes induced by paternal alcohol exposure. Using a limited access model, we exposed C57Bl/6 J males to alcohol and bred them to naïve 129S1/SvImJ dams. We then assayed F1 hybrid offspring for alterations in fetoplacental growth and used micro-CT imaging to contrast placental histological patterning between the preconception treatments. F1 hybrid placentae exhibit larger placental weights than pure C57Bl/6 J offspring but display a proportionally smaller junctional zone with increased glycogen content. The male F1 hybrid offspring of alcohol-exposed sires exhibit modest placental hyperplasia but, unlike pure C57Bl/6 J offspring, do not display observable changes in placental histology, glycogen content, or measurable impacts on fetal growth. Although F1 hybrid female offspring do not exhibit any measurable alterations in fetoplacental growth, RT-qPCR analysis of placental gene expression reveals increased expression of genes participating in the antioxidant response. The reduced placental junctional zone but increased glycogen stores of 129S1/SvImJ-C57Bl/6 J F1 hybrid placentae ostensibly attenuate the previously observed placental patterning defects and fetal growth restriction induced by paternal alcohol use in the C57Bl/6 J strain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanat S Bhadsavle
- Department of Veterinary Physiology & Pharmacology, School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Katherine Z Scaturro
- Department of Veterinary Physiology & Pharmacology, School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Michael C Golding
- Department of Veterinary Physiology & Pharmacology, School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA.
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2
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Ditton DM, Marchus CR, Bozeman AL, Martes AC, Brumley MR, Schiele NR. Visualization of rat tendon in three dimensions using micro-Computed Tomography. MethodsX 2024; 12:102565. [PMID: 38292310 PMCID: PMC10825692 DOI: 10.1016/j.mex.2024.102565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 02/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Micro-computed tomography (CT) is an X-ray-based imaging modality that produces three-dimensional (3D), high-resolution images of whole-mount tissues, but is typically limited to dense tissues, such as bone. The X-rays readily pass-through tendons, rendering them transparent. Contrast-enhancing chemical stains have been explored, but their use to improve contrast in different tendon types and across developmental stages for micro-CT imaging has not been systematically evaluated. Therefore, we investigated how phosphotungstic acid (PTA) staining and tissue hydration impacts tendon contrast for micro-CT imaging. We showed that PTA staining increased X-ray absorption of tendon to enhance tissue contrast and obtain 3D micro-CT images of immature (postnatal day 21) and sexually mature (postnatal day 50) rat tendons within the tail and hindlimb. Further, we demonstrated that tissue hydration state following PTA staining significantly impacts soft tissue contrast. Using this method, we also found that tail tendon fascicles appear to cross between fascicle bundles. Ultimately, contrast-enhanced 3D micro-CT imaging will lead to better understanding of tendon structure, and relationships between the bone and soft tissues.•Simple tissue fixation and staining technique enhances soft tissue contrast for tendon visualization using micro-CT.•3D tendon visualization in situ advances understanding of musculoskeletal tissue structure and organization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Destinee M. Ditton
- Chemical & Biological Engineering, University of Idaho, 875 Perimeter Dr. MS 0904, Moscow, ID 83844, USA
| | - Colin R. Marchus
- Chemical & Biological Engineering, University of Idaho, 875 Perimeter Dr. MS 0904, Moscow, ID 83844, USA
| | - Aimee L. Bozeman
- Psychology, Idaho State University, 921 S 8th Avenue Stop 8087, Pocatello, ID 83209, USA
| | - Alleyna C. Martes
- Psychology, Idaho State University, 921 S 8th Avenue Stop 8087, Pocatello, ID 83209, USA
| | - Michele R. Brumley
- Psychology, Idaho State University, 921 S 8th Avenue Stop 8087, Pocatello, ID 83209, USA
| | - Nathan R. Schiele
- Chemical & Biological Engineering, University of Idaho, 875 Perimeter Dr. MS 0904, Moscow, ID 83844, USA
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3
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Kairišs K, Sokolova N, Zilova L, Schlagheck C, Reinhardt R, Baumbach T, Faragó T, van de Kamp T, Wittbrodt J, Weinhardt V. Visualisation of gene expression within the context of tissues using an X-ray computed tomography-based multimodal approach. Sci Rep 2024; 14:8543. [PMID: 38609416 PMCID: PMC11015006 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-58766-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2024] [Accepted: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
The development of an organism is orchestrated by the spatial and temporal expression of genes. Accurate visualisation of gene expression patterns in the context of the surrounding tissues offers a glimpse into the mechanisms that drive morphogenesis. We developed correlative light-sheet fluorescence microscopy and X-ray computed tomography approach to map gene expression patterns to the whole organism`s 3D anatomy. We show that this multimodal approach is applicable to gene expression visualized by protein-specific antibodies and fluorescence RNA in situ hybridisation offering a detailed understanding of individual phenotypic variations in model organisms. Furthermore, the approach offers a unique possibility to identify tissues together with their 3D cellular and molecular composition in anatomically less-defined in vitro models, such as organoids. We anticipate that the visual and quantitative insights into the 3D distribution of gene expression within tissue architecture, by multimodal approach developed here, will be equally valuable for reference atlases of model organisms development, as well as for comprehensive screens, and morphogenesis studies of in vitro models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristaps Kairišs
- Centre for Organismal Studies, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
- HeiKa Graduate School On "Functional Materials", Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Natalia Sokolova
- Centre for Organismal Studies, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
- Heidelberg International Biosciences Graduate School HBIGS, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Lucie Zilova
- Centre for Organismal Studies, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Christina Schlagheck
- Centre for Organismal Studies, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
- HeiKa Graduate School On "Functional Materials", Heidelberg, Germany
- Heidelberg International Biosciences Graduate School HBIGS, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Robert Reinhardt
- Centre for Organismal Studies, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Tilo Baumbach
- Institute for Photon Science and Synchrotron Radiation (IPS), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany
- Laboratory for Applications of Synchrotron Radiation (LAS), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Tomáš Faragó
- Institute for Photon Science and Synchrotron Radiation (IPS), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany
| | - Thomas van de Kamp
- Institute for Photon Science and Synchrotron Radiation (IPS), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany
- Laboratory for Applications of Synchrotron Radiation (LAS), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Karlsruhe, Germany
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4
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Fitzpatrick Z, Ghabdan Zanluqui N, Rosenblum JS, Tuong ZK, Lee CYC, Chandrashekhar V, Negro-Demontel ML, Stewart AP, Posner DA, Buckley M, Allinson KSJ, Mastorakos P, Chittiboina P, Maric D, Donahue D, Helmy A, Tajsic T, Ferdinand JR, Portet A, Peñalver A, Gillman E, Zhuang Z, Clatworthy MR, McGavern DB. Venous-plexus-associated lymphoid hubs support meningeal humoral immunity. Nature 2024; 628:612-619. [PMID: 38509366 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-024-07202-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2022] [Accepted: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024]
Abstract
There is increasing interest in how immune cells in the meninges-the membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord-contribute to homeostasis and disease in the central nervous system1,2. The outer layer of the meninges, the dura mater, has recently been described to contain both innate and adaptive immune cells, and functions as a site for B cell development3-6. Here we identify organized lymphoid structures that protect fenestrated vasculature in the dura mater. The most elaborate of these dural-associated lymphoid tissues (DALT) surrounded the rostral-rhinal confluence of the sinuses and included lymphatic vessels. We termed this structure, which interfaces with the skull bone marrow and a comparable venous plexus at the skull base, the rostral-rhinal venolymphatic hub. Immune aggregates were present in DALT during homeostasis and expanded with age or after challenge with systemic or nasal antigens. DALT contain germinal centre B cells and support the generation of somatically mutated, antibody-producing cells in response to a nasal pathogen challenge. Inhibition of lymphocyte entry into the rostral-rhinal hub at the time of nasal viral challenge abrogated the generation of germinal centre B cells and class-switched plasma cells, as did perturbation of B-T cell interactions. These data demonstrate a lymphoid structure around vasculature in the dura mater that can sample antigens and rapidly support humoral immune responses after local pathogen challenge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zachary Fitzpatrick
- Viral Immunology and Intravital Imaging Section, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), National Institute of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD, USA
- Molecular Immunity Unit, Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Nagela Ghabdan Zanluqui
- Viral Immunology and Intravital Imaging Section, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), National Institute of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD, USA
| | | | - Zewen Kelvin Tuong
- Molecular Immunity Unit, Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Cambridge Institute of Therapeutic Immunology and Infectious Diseases, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Colin Y C Lee
- Molecular Immunity Unit, Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Cambridge Institute of Therapeutic Immunology and Infectious Diseases, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | | | - Maria Luciana Negro-Demontel
- Viral Immunology and Intravital Imaging Section, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), National Institute of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Andrew P Stewart
- Molecular Immunity Unit, Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Cambridge Institute of Therapeutic Immunology and Infectious Diseases, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - David A Posner
- Molecular Immunity Unit, Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Cambridge Institute of Therapeutic Immunology and Infectious Diseases, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Monica Buckley
- Viral Immunology and Intravital Imaging Section, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), National Institute of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Kieren S J Allinson
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Panagiotis Mastorakos
- Viral Immunology and Intravital Imaging Section, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), National Institute of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD, USA
- Department of Surgical Neurology, NINDS, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | | | - Dragan Maric
- Flow and Imaging Cytometry Core Facility, NINDS, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | | | - Adel Helmy
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Tamara Tajsic
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - John R Ferdinand
- Molecular Immunity Unit, Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Anais Portet
- Molecular Immunity Unit, Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Ana Peñalver
- Molecular Immunity Unit, Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Eleanor Gillman
- Molecular Immunity Unit, Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Zhengping Zhuang
- Neuro-Oncology Branch, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Menna R Clatworthy
- Molecular Immunity Unit, Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
- Cambridge Institute of Therapeutic Immunology and Infectious Diseases, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
- Cellular Genetics, Wellcome Sanger Institute, Hinxton, UK.
| | - Dorian B McGavern
- Viral Immunology and Intravital Imaging Section, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), National Institute of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD, USA.
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5
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Fu SJ, Yang EC. Neuroplasticity in honey bee brains: An enhanced micro-computed tomography protocol for precise mushroom body volume measurement. J Neurosci Methods 2024; 403:110040. [PMID: 38135123 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneumeth.2023.110040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2023] [Revised: 10/31/2023] [Accepted: 12/17/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In insect brains, mushroom bodies are associated with memory and learning behavior. It has been demonstrated that the volume of the mushroom bodies in the brain of a worker honey bee changes during the adult stage. Changes in mushroom body volume imply high neuroplasticity in the brains and may be related to the age polyethism of honey bees. A suitable volume measurement method is needed to understand the correlation between behavioral changes and mushroom body volume changes in honey bees. NEW METHOD We developed a new protocol for insect micro-computed tomography by modifying a previously reported method. Permount™ mounting medium was used as the embedding medium for micro-computed tomography scanning. RESULTS This protocol can generate images with high contrast inside the brain and reduce the marked shape changes during specimen processing. From the resulting high-contrast images, we used freeware to generate a three-dimensional model and calculate the volumes of the mushroom bodies in honey bees. The measured volumes of the mushroom bodies were larger than the values reported in most previous studies. There was no significant difference between the left and right mushroom body volumes, but the volumes of honey bee mushroom bodies significantly increased with age. COMPARISON WITH EXISTING METHODS Previous protocols for micro-computed tomography using dried samples would cause brain shrinkage; protocols using ethanol-preserved or resin-embedded samples generated images with lower contrast. CONCLUSIONS The embedding protocol for micro-computed tomography is suitable for calculating volume of the mushroom bodies in honey bee brains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shang-Jui Fu
- Department of Entomology, National Taiwan University, Taiwan
| | - En-Cheng Yang
- Department of Entomology, National Taiwan University, Taiwan.
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6
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Kircher BK, Stanley EL, Behringer RR. Anatomy of the female reproductive tract organs of the brown anole (Anolis sagrei). Anat Rec (Hoboken) 2024; 307:395-413. [PMID: 37506227 DOI: 10.1002/ar.25293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2023] [Revised: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023]
Abstract
Female reproduction in squamate reptiles (lizards and snakes) is highly diverse and mode of reproduction, clutch size, and reproductive tract morphology all vary widely across this group of ~11,000 species. Recently, CRISPR genome editing techniques that require manipulation of the female reproductive anatomy have been developed in this group, making a more complete understanding of this anatomy essential. We describe the adult female reproductive anatomy of the model reptile the brown anole (Anolis sagrei). We show that the brown anole female reproductive tract has three distinct anterior-to-posterior regions, the infundibulum, the glandular uterus, and the nonglandular uterus. The infundibulum has a highly ciliated epithelial lip, a region where the epithelium is inverted so that cilia are present on the inside and outside of the tube. The glandular uterus has epithelial ducts that are patent with a lumen as well as acinar structures with a lumen. The nonglandular uterus has a heterogeneous morphology from anterior to posterior, with a highly folded, ciliated epithelium transitioning to a stratified squamous epithelium. This transition is accompanied by a loss of keratin-8 expression and together, these changes are similar to the morphological and gene expression changes that occur in the mammalian cervix. We recommend that description of the nonglandular uterus include the regional sub-specification of a "cervix" and "vagina" as this terminology change more accurately describes the morphology. Our data extend histological studies of reproductive organ morphology in reptiles and expand our understanding of the variation in reproductive system anatomy across squamates and vertebrates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bonnie K Kircher
- Department of Genetics, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Edward L Stanley
- Florida Museum of Natural History, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Richard R Behringer
- Department of Genetics, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
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7
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Glancy SB, Morris HD, Ho VB, Klarmann GJ. Optimal Agents for Visualizing Collagen Tissue Microarchitecture Using Contrast-Enhanced MicroCT. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023; 16:1719. [PMID: 38139845 PMCID: PMC10747128 DOI: 10.3390/ph16121719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2023] [Revised: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 12/07/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Micro-computed tomography (microCT) is a common tool for the visualization of the internal composition of organic tissues. Collagen comprises approximately 25-35% of the whole-body protein content in mammals, and the structure and arrangement of collagen fibers contribute significantly to the integrity of tissues. Collagen type I is also frequently used as a key structural component in tissue-engineered and bioprinted tissues. However, the imaging of collagenous tissues is limited by their inherently low X-ray attenuation, which makes them indistinguishable from most other soft tissues. An imaging contrast agent that selectively alters X-ray attenuation is thus essential to properly visualize collagenous tissue using a standard X-ray tube microCT scanner. This review compares various contrast-enhanced techniques reported in the literature for MicroCT visualization of collagen-based tissues. An ideal microCT contrast agent would meet the following criteria: (1) it diffuses through the tissue quickly; (2) it does not deform or impair the object being imaged; and (3) it provides sufficient image contrast for reliable visualization of the orientation of individual fibers within the collagen network. The relative benefits and disadvantages of each method are discussed. Lugol's solution (I3K), phosphotungstic acid (H3PW12O40), mercury(II) chloride (HgCl2), and Wells-Dawson polyoxometalates came closest to fitting the criteria. While none of the contrast agents discussed in the literature met all criteria, each one has advantages to consider in the context of specific lab capabilities and imaging priorities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Spencer B. Glancy
- San Antonio Uniformed Services Health Education Consortium, San Antonio, TX 78234, USA;
| | - Herman Douglas Morris
- School of Medicine, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA; (H.D.M.); (V.B.H.)
| | - Vincent B. Ho
- School of Medicine, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA; (H.D.M.); (V.B.H.)
- 4D Bio3 Center for Biotechnology, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA
| | - George J. Klarmann
- 4D Bio3 Center for Biotechnology, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA
- The Geneva Foundation, Tacoma, WA 98402, USA
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8
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Anthwal N, Hall RP, de la Rosa Hernandez FA, Koger M, Yohe LR, Hedrick BP, Davies KTJ, Mutumi GL, Roseman CC, Dumont ER, Dávalos LM, Rossiter SJ, Sadier A, Sears KE. Cochlea development shapes bat sensory system evolution. Anat Rec (Hoboken) 2023. [PMID: 37994725 DOI: 10.1002/ar.25353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2023] [Revised: 11/01/2023] [Accepted: 11/08/2023] [Indexed: 11/24/2023]
Abstract
Sensory organs must develop alongside the skull within which they are largely encased, and this relationship can manifest as the skull constraining the organs, organs constraining the skull, or organs constraining one another in relative size. How this interplay between sensory organs and the developing skull plays out during the evolution of sensory diversity; however, remains unknown. Here, we examine the developmental sequence of the cochlea, the organ responsible for hearing and echolocation, in species with distinct diet and echolocation types within the ecologically diverse bat super-family Noctilionoidea. We found the size and shape of the cochlea largely correlates with skull size, with exceptions of Pteronotus parnellii, whose high duty cycle echolocation (nearly constant emission of sound pulses during their echolocation process allowing for detailed information gathering, also called constant frequency echolocation) corresponds to a larger cochlear and basal turn, and Monophyllus redmani, a small-bodied nectarivorous bat, for which interactions with other sensory organs restrict cochlea size. Our findings support the existence of developmental constraints, suggesting that both developmental and anatomical factors may act synergistically during the development of sensory systems in noctilionoid bats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neal Anthwal
- King's College London, Centre for Craniofacial and Regenerative Biology, London, UK
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Ronald P Hall
- Department of Life and Environment Sciences, University of California Merced, Merced, California, USA
| | | | - Michael Koger
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Laurel R Yohe
- Department of Bioinformatics and Genomics, University of North Carolina Charlotte, Charlotte, North Carolina, USA
| | - Brandon P Hedrick
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA
| | - Kalina T J Davies
- School of Biological and Behavioural Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Gregory L Mutumi
- Department of Life and Environment Sciences, University of California Merced, Merced, California, USA
| | - Charles C Roseman
- Department of Evolution, Ecology, and Behavior, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana-Champaign, Illinois, USA
| | - Elizabeth R Dumont
- Department of Life and Environment Sciences, University of California Merced, Merced, California, USA
| | - Liliana M Dávalos
- Department of Ecology and Evolution and Consortium for Inter-Disciplinary Environmental Research, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA
| | - Stephen J Rossiter
- School of Biological and Behavioural Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Alexa Sadier
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Karen E Sears
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
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9
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Lösel PD, Monchanin C, Lebrun R, Jayme A, Relle JJ, Devaud JM, Heuveline V, Lihoreau M. Natural variability in bee brain size and symmetry revealed by micro-CT imaging and deep learning. PLoS Comput Biol 2023; 19:e1011529. [PMID: 37782674 PMCID: PMC10569549 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1011529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2023] [Revised: 10/12/2023] [Accepted: 09/19/2023] [Indexed: 10/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Analysing large numbers of brain samples can reveal minor, but statistically and biologically relevant variations in brain morphology that provide critical insights into animal behaviour, ecology and evolution. So far, however, such analyses have required extensive manual effort, which considerably limits the scope for comparative research. Here we used micro-CT imaging and deep learning to perform automated analyses of 3D image data from 187 honey bee and bumblebee brains. We revealed strong inter-individual variations in total brain size that are consistent across colonies and species, and may underpin behavioural variability central to complex social organisations. In addition, the bumblebee dataset showed a significant level of lateralization in optic and antennal lobes, providing a potential explanation for reported variations in visual and olfactory learning. Our fast, robust and user-friendly approach holds considerable promises for carrying out large-scale quantitative neuroanatomical comparisons across a wider range of animals. Ultimately, this will help address fundamental unresolved questions related to the evolution of animal brains and cognition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philipp D. Lösel
- Engineering Mathematics and Computing Lab (EMCL), Interdisciplinary Center for Scientific Computing (IWR), Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
- Data Mining and Uncertainty Quantification (DMQ), Heidelberg Institute for Theoretical Studies (HITS), Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Materials Physics, Research School of Physics, The Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
| | - Coline Monchanin
- Research Center on Animal Cognition (CRCA), Center for Integrative Biology (CBI); CNRS, University Paul Sabatier – Toulouse III, Toulouse, France
- Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia
| | - Renaud Lebrun
- Institut des Sciences de l’Evolution de Montpellier, CC64, Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
- BioCampus, Montpellier Ressources Imagerie, CNRS, INSERM, Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Alejandra Jayme
- Engineering Mathematics and Computing Lab (EMCL), Interdisciplinary Center for Scientific Computing (IWR), Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
- Data Mining and Uncertainty Quantification (DMQ), Heidelberg Institute for Theoretical Studies (HITS), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Jacob J. Relle
- Engineering Mathematics and Computing Lab (EMCL), Interdisciplinary Center for Scientific Computing (IWR), Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
- Data Mining and Uncertainty Quantification (DMQ), Heidelberg Institute for Theoretical Studies (HITS), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Jean-Marc Devaud
- Research Center on Animal Cognition (CRCA), Center for Integrative Biology (CBI); CNRS, University Paul Sabatier – Toulouse III, Toulouse, France
| | - Vincent Heuveline
- Engineering Mathematics and Computing Lab (EMCL), Interdisciplinary Center for Scientific Computing (IWR), Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
- Data Mining and Uncertainty Quantification (DMQ), Heidelberg Institute for Theoretical Studies (HITS), Heidelberg, Germany
- Heidelberg University Computing Centre (URZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Mathieu Lihoreau
- Research Center on Animal Cognition (CRCA), Center for Integrative Biology (CBI); CNRS, University Paul Sabatier – Toulouse III, Toulouse, France
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10
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Motch Perrine SM, Sapkota N, Kawasaki K, Zhang Y, Chen DZ, Kawasaki M, Durham EL, Heuzé Y, Legeai-Mallet L, Richtsmeier JT. Embryonic cranial cartilage defects in the Fgfr3 Y367C /+ mouse model of achondroplasia. Anat Rec (Hoboken) 2023. [PMID: 37747411 PMCID: PMC10961250 DOI: 10.1002/ar.25327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2023] [Revised: 08/18/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023]
Abstract
Achondroplasia, the most common chondrodysplasia in humans, is caused by one of two gain of function mutations localized in the transmembrane domain of fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 (FGFR3) leading to constitutive activation of FGFR3 and subsequent growth plate cartilage and bone defects. Phenotypic features of achondroplasia include macrocephaly with frontal bossing, midface hypoplasia, disproportionate shortening of the extremities, brachydactyly with trident configuration of the hand, and bowed legs. The condition is defined primarily on postnatal effects on bone and cartilage, and embryonic development of tissues in affected individuals is not well studied. Using the Fgfr3Y367C/+ mouse model of achondroplasia, we investigated the developing chondrocranium and Meckel's cartilage (MC) at embryonic days (E)14.5 and E16.5. Sparse hand annotations of chondrocranial and MC cartilages visualized in phosphotungstic acid enhanced three-dimensional (3D) micro-computed tomography (microCT) images were used to train our automatic deep learning-based 3D segmentation model and produce 3D isosurfaces of the chondrocranium and MC. Using 3D coordinates of landmarks measured on the 3D isosurfaces, we quantified differences in the chondrocranium and MC of Fgfr3Y367C/+ mice relative to those of their unaffected littermates. Statistically significant differences in morphology and growth of the chondrocranium and MC were found, indicating direct effects of this Fgfr3 mutation on embryonic cranial and pharyngeal cartilages, which in turn can secondarily affect cranial dermal bone development. Our results support the suggestion that early therapeutic intervention during cartilage formation may lessen the effects of this condition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan M Motch Perrine
- Department of Anthropology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Nishchal Sapkota
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, USA
| | - Kazuhiko Kawasaki
- Department of Anthropology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Yejia Zhang
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, USA
| | - Danny Z Chen
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, USA
| | - Mizuho Kawasaki
- Department of Anthropology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Emily L Durham
- Department of Anthropology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Human Genetics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Yann Heuzé
- Univ. Bordeaux, CNRS, Ministère de la Culture, PACEA, UMR 5199, Pessac, France
| | - Laurence Legeai-Mallet
- Université de Paris Cité, Imagine Institute, Laboratory of Molecular and Physiopathological Bases of Osteochondrodysplasia, INSERM UMR 1163, Paris, France
| | - Joan T Richtsmeier
- Department of Anthropology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA
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11
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Dang DD, Chandrashekhar V, Chandrashekhar V, Ghabdanzanluqui N, Knutsen RH, Nazari MA, Nimmagadda L, Donahue DR, McGavern DB, Kozel BA, Heiss JD, Pacak K, Zhuang Z, Rosenblum JS. A protocol for visualization of murine in situ neurovascular interfaces. STAR Protoc 2023; 4:102367. [PMID: 37339049 PMCID: PMC10511866 DOI: 10.1016/j.xpro.2023.102367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2023] [Revised: 05/04/2023] [Accepted: 05/18/2023] [Indexed: 06/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Mapping cranial vasculature and adjacent neurovascular interfaces in their entirety will enhance our understanding of central nervous system function in any physiologic state. We present a workflow to visualize in situ murine vasculature and surrounding cranial structures using terminal polymer casting of vessels, iterative sample processing and image acquisition, and automated image registration and processing. While this method does not obtain dynamic imaging due to mouse sacrifice, these studies can be performed before sacrifice and processed with other acquired images. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Rosenblum et al.1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danielle D Dang
- Neuro-Oncology Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA; Surgical Neurology Branch, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | | | | | - Nagela Ghabdanzanluqui
- Viral Immunology and Intravital Imaging Section, National Institute of Neurological Disorders, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Russell H Knutsen
- Laboratory of Vascular and Matrix Genetics, National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Matthew A Nazari
- Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Likitha Nimmagadda
- Laboratory of Vascular and Matrix Genetics, National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Danielle R Donahue
- Mouse Imaging Facility, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Dorian B McGavern
- Viral Immunology and Intravital Imaging Section, National Institute of Neurological Disorders, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Beth A Kozel
- Laboratory of Vascular and Matrix Genetics, National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - John D Heiss
- Surgical Neurology Branch, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Karel Pacak
- Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Zhengping Zhuang
- Neuro-Oncology Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
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12
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Davis S, Karali A, Zekonyte J, Roldo M, Blunn G. Development of a method to investigate strain distribution across the cartilage-bone interface in guinea pig model of spontaneous osteoarthritis using lab-based contrast enhanced X-ray-computed tomography and digital volume correlation. J Mech Behav Biomed Mater 2023; 144:105999. [PMID: 37406483 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmbbm.2023.105999] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2023] [Revised: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 06/28/2023] [Indexed: 07/07/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Strain changes at the cartilage-bone interface play a crucial role in osteoarthritis (OA) development. Contrast-Enhanced X-ray Computed Tomography (CECT) and Digital Volume Correlation (DVC) can measure 3D strain changes at the osteochondral interface. Using lab-based CT systems it is often difficult to visualise soft tissues such as articular cartilage without staining to enhance contrast. Contrast-Enhancing Staining Agents (CESAs), such as Phosphotungstic Acid (PTA) in 70% ethanol, can cause tissue shrinkage and alter tissue mechanics. The aims of this study were, firstly, to assess changes to the mechanical properties of osteochondral tissue after staining with a PTA/PBS solution, and secondly, to visualise articular cartilage during loading and with CECT imaging in order to compare strain across the interface in both healthy and OA joints using DVC. DESIGN Nanoindentation was used to assess changes to mechanical properties in articular cartilage and subchondral bone before and after staining. Hindlimbs from Dunkin-Hartley guinea pigs were stained with 1% PTA/PBS at room temperature for 6 days. Two consecutive CECT datasets were acquired for DVC error analysis. In-situ compression with a load corresponding to 2x body weight was applied, the specimen was re-imaged, and DVC was performed between the pre- and post-load tomograms. RESULTS Nanoindentation before and after PTA/PBS staining showed similar cartilage stiffness (p < 0.05), however, staining significantly decreased the stiffness of subchondral bone (∼9-fold; p = 0.0012). In severe OA specimens, third principal/compressive (εp3) strain was 141.7% higher and shear strain (γ) was 98.2% higher in tibial articular cartilage compared to non-OA (2 - month) specimens. A 23.1% increase in third principal stain strain and a 54.5% significant increase in the shear (γ) strain (p = 0.0027) was transferred into the mineralised regions of calcified cartilage and subchondral bone in severe OA specimens. CONCLUSIONS These results indicate the suitability of PTA in PBS as a contrast agent for the visualisation of cartilage during CECT imaging and allowed DVC computation of strain across the cartilage-bone interface. However, further research is needed to address the reduction in stiffness of subchondral bone after incubation in PBS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Davis
- School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Science, University of Portsmouth, Portsmouth, PO1 2DT, UK; School of Mechanical and Design Engineering, University of Portsmouth, PO1 3DJ, UK.
| | - Aikaterina Karali
- School of Mechanical and Design Engineering, University of Portsmouth, PO1 3DJ, UK
| | - Jurgita Zekonyte
- School of Mechanical and Design Engineering, University of Portsmouth, PO1 3DJ, UK
| | - Marta Roldo
- School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Science, University of Portsmouth, Portsmouth, PO1 2DT, UK
| | - Gordon Blunn
- School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Science, University of Portsmouth, Portsmouth, PO1 2DT, UK
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13
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Ishii R, Yoshida M, Suzuki N, Ogino H, Suzuki M. X-ray micro-computed tomography of Xenopus tadpole reveals changes in brain ventricular morphology during telencephalon regeneration. Dev Growth Differ 2023; 65:300-310. [PMID: 37477433 DOI: 10.1111/dgd.12881] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2023] [Revised: 06/26/2023] [Accepted: 06/30/2023] [Indexed: 07/22/2023]
Abstract
Xenopus tadpoles serve as an exceptional model organism for studying post-embryonic development in vertebrates. During post-embryonic development, large-scale changes in tissue morphology, including organ regeneration and metamorphosis, occur at the organ level. However, understanding these processes in a three-dimensional manner remains challenging. In this study, the use of X-ray micro-computed tomography (microCT) for the three-dimensional observation of the soft tissues of Xenopus tadpoles was explored. The findings revealed that major organs, such as the brain, heart, and kidneys, could be visualized with high contrast by phosphotungstic acid staining following fixation with Bouin's solution. Then, the changes in brain shape during telencephalon regeneration were analyzed as the first example of utilizing microCT to study organ regeneration in Xenopus tadpoles, and it was found that the size of the amputated telencephalon recovered to >80% of its original length within approximately 1 week. It was also observed that the ventricles tended to shrink after amputation and maintained this state for at least 3 days. This shrinkage was transient, as the ventricles expanded to exceed their original size within the following week. Temporary shrinkage and expansion of the ventricles, which were also observed in transgenic or fluorescent dye-injected tadpoles with telencephalon amputation, may be significant in tissue homeostasis in response to massive brain injury and subsequent repair and regeneration. This established method will improve experimental analyses in developmental biology and medical science using Xenopus tadpoles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Riona Ishii
- Amphibian Research Center, Graduate School of Integrated Sciences for Life, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Mana Yoshida
- Amphibian Research Center, Graduate School of Integrated Sciences for Life, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Nanoka Suzuki
- Amphibian Research Center, Graduate School of Integrated Sciences for Life, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Hajime Ogino
- Amphibian Research Center, Graduate School of Integrated Sciences for Life, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Makoto Suzuki
- Amphibian Research Center, Graduate School of Integrated Sciences for Life, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
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14
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Kolokotroni A, Gkikopoulou E, Rinotas V, Douni E. Phosphotungstic acid-enhanced microcomputed tomography for quantitative visualization of mouse mammary gland morphology. J Med Imaging (Bellingham) 2023; 10:S22402. [PMID: 36825256 PMCID: PMC9941684 DOI: 10.1117/1.jmi.10.s2.s22402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2022] [Accepted: 12/20/2022] [Indexed: 02/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose Even though current techniques provide two-dimensional (2D) imaging of the mouse mammary gland, they fail to achieve high-resolution three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction and quantification. The objective of this study is to establish and evaluate quantitative visualization of the mouse mammary epithelium through microcomputed tomography (microCT) using phosphotungstic acid (PTA) as a contrast agent. Approach Ex vivo microCT scan images of the mouse mammary glands were obtained following staining by PTA, whereas for quantification we adapted volumetric parameters that are used for assessing trabecular bone morphometry and can be structurally applicable in the mammary ductal system. The proposed method was validated in distinct developmental stages and upon short-term treatment with synthetic progesterone, using the carmine alum staining for comparison. Results We demonstrate a simple PTA staining procedure that allows high contrast 3D imaging of mammary glands and quantitation of mammary duct structures using microCT. We validated the proposed method in distinct developmental stages, such as at puberty, adult mice, pregnancy as well as upon progesterone treatment. Compared with carmine alum staining, the microCT analysis provided higher resolution 2D and 3D images of the mammary gland morphology, with lower background that enabled the detection of subtle changes. Conclusions This work is the first study that employs PTA-enhanced microCT for 3D imaging and volumetric analysis of mouse mammary glands. Our results establish PTA-enhanced microCT as a useful tool for comparative studies of the mouse mammary gland morphology that can apply in mutant mice and for the preclinical evaluation of pharmaceuticals in breast cancer models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthi Kolokotroni
- Agricultural University of Athens, Department of Biotechnology, Laboratory of Genetics, Athens, Greece
- Biomedical Sciences Research Center “Alexander Fleming,” Institute for Bioinnovation, Vari, Greece
| | - Evi Gkikopoulou
- Agricultural University of Athens, Department of Biotechnology, Laboratory of Genetics, Athens, Greece
- Biomedical Sciences Research Center “Alexander Fleming,” Institute for Bioinnovation, Vari, Greece
| | - Vagelis Rinotas
- Biomedical Sciences Research Center “Alexander Fleming,” Institute for Bioinnovation, Vari, Greece
| | - Eleni Douni
- Agricultural University of Athens, Department of Biotechnology, Laboratory of Genetics, Athens, Greece
- Biomedical Sciences Research Center “Alexander Fleming,” Institute for Bioinnovation, Vari, Greece
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15
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Roach AN, Zimmel KN, Thomas KN, Basel A, Bhadsavle SS, Golding MC. Preconception paternal alcohol exposure decreases IVF embryo survival and pregnancy success rates in a mouse model. Mol Hum Reprod 2023; 29:gaad002. [PMID: 36637195 PMCID: PMC9907225 DOI: 10.1093/molehr/gaad002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2022] [Revised: 12/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Increasingly, couples struggling with fertility turn to assisted reproductive techniques, including IVF, to have children. Despite the demonstrated influence of periconception male health and lifestyle choices on offspring development, studies examining IVF success rates and child health outcomes remain exclusively focused on maternal factors. Using a physiologically relevant mouse model, we tested the hypothesis that chronic paternal preconception alcohol intake adversely affects IVF success and negatively impacts IVF offspring fetoplacental growth. Using a voluntary, binge-like mouse model, we exposed sexually mature C57BL/6J males to three preconception treatments (0% (Control), 6% EtOH or 10% EtOH) for 6 weeks, isolated and cryopreserved caudal sperm from treated males, and then used these samples to fertilize oocytes before assessing IVF embryo developmental outcomes. We found that preconception paternal alcohol use reduced IVF embryo survival and pregnancy success rates in a dose-dependent manner, with the pregnancy success rate of the 10% EtOH treatment falling to half those of the Controls. Mechanistically, we found that preconception paternal alcohol exposure disrupts embryonic gene expression, including Fgf4 and Egfr, two critical regulators of trophectoderm stem cell growth and placental patterning, with lasting impacts on the histological organization of the late-term placenta. The changes in placental histoarchitecture were accompanied by altered regulation of pathways controlling mitochondrial function, oxidative phosphorylation and some imprinted genes. Our studies indicate that male alcohol use may significantly impede IVF success rates, increasing the couple's financial burden and emotional stress, and highlights the need to expand prepregnancy messaging to emphasize the reproductive dangers of alcohol use by both parents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexis N Roach
- Department of Veterinary Physiology & Pharmacology, School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Katherine N Zimmel
- Department of Veterinary Physiology & Pharmacology, School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Kara N Thomas
- Department of Veterinary Physiology & Pharmacology, School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Alison Basel
- Department of Veterinary Physiology & Pharmacology, School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Sanat S Bhadsavle
- Department of Veterinary Physiology & Pharmacology, School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Michael C Golding
- Department of Veterinary Physiology & Pharmacology, School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
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16
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Zbasnik N, Dolan K, Buczkowski SA, Green RM, Hallgrímsson B, Marcucio RS, Moon AM, Fish JL. Fgf8 dosage regulates jaw shape and symmetry through pharyngeal-cardiac tissue relationships. Dev Dyn 2022; 251:1711-1727. [PMID: 35618654 PMCID: PMC9529861 DOI: 10.1002/dvdy.501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2022] [Revised: 05/17/2022] [Accepted: 05/17/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Asymmetries in craniofacial anomalies are commonly observed. In the facial skeleton, the left side is more commonly and/or severely affected than the right. Such asymmetries complicate treatment options. Mechanisms underlying variation in disease severity between individuals as well as within individuals (asymmetries) are still relatively unknown. RESULTS Developmental reductions in fibroblast growth factor 8 (Fgf8) have a dosage dependent effect on jaw size, shape, and symmetry. Further, Fgf8 mutants have directionally asymmetric jaws with the left side being more affected than the right. Defects in lower jaw development begin with disruption to Meckel's cartilage, which is discontinuous. All skeletal elements associated with the proximal condensation are dysmorphic, exemplified by a malformed and misoriented malleus. At later stages, Fgf8 mutants exhibit syngnathia, which falls into two broad categories: bony fusion of the maxillary and mandibular alveolar ridges and zygomatico-mandibular fusion. All of these morphological defects exhibit both inter- and intra-specimen variation. CONCLUSIONS We hypothesize that these asymmetries are linked to heart development resulting in higher levels of Fgf8 on the right side of the face, which may buffer the right side to developmental perturbations. This mouse model may facilitate future investigations of mechanisms underlying human syngnathia and facial asymmetry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathaniel Zbasnik
- Department of Biological SciencesUniversity of Massachusetts LowellLowellMassachusettsUSA
| | - Katie Dolan
- Department of Biological SciencesUniversity of Massachusetts LowellLowellMassachusettsUSA
| | - Stephanie A. Buczkowski
- Department of Molecular and Functional GenomicsGeisinger Medical CenterDanvillePennsylvaniaUSA
| | - Rebecca M. Green
- Center for Craniofacial and Dental Genetics and Department of Oral and Craniofacial SciencesUniversity of PittsburghPittsburghPennsylvaniaUSA
| | - Benedikt Hallgrímsson
- Department of Cell Biology and AnatomyAlberta Chidren's Hospital Research Institute, University of CalgaryCalgaryAlbertaCanada
| | - Ralph S. Marcucio
- Orthopaedic Surgery, Orthopaedic Trauma InstituteUniversity of California, San FranciscoSan FranciscoCaliforniaUSA
| | - Anne M. Moon
- Department of Molecular and Functional GenomicsGeisinger Medical CenterDanvillePennsylvaniaUSA,Departments of Pediatrics and Human GeneticsUniversity of UtahSalt Lake CityUtahUSA
| | - Jennifer L. Fish
- Department of Biological SciencesUniversity of Massachusetts LowellLowellMassachusettsUSA
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17
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Brînduș GM, Marcu EA, Olteanu M, Trăistaru MR. Positive Effects of Pulmonary Rehabilitation Among Patients with Obstructive Ventilatory Dysfunction Post COVID-19. CURRENT HEALTH SCIENCES JOURNAL 2022; 48:426-435. [PMID: 37304799 PMCID: PMC10248483 DOI: 10.12865/chsj.48.04.10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2022] [Accepted: 10/18/2022] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND SARS-CoV-2 (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2) infection appeared for the first time in Wuhan, China in December 2019, and in March 2020 it was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO). Thus, a new disease was registered-COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease 2019). Our study followed the patients who had the diagnosis of obstructive ventilatory dysfunction in their personal pathological antecedents, who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 infection. The patients were in the hospital records with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or asthma. After discharge, patients had a number of outstanding symptoms: fatigue, cough, dyspnea, mental and cognitive disorders, palpitations, headaches, dysfunctions of taste and smell. All patients underwent pulmonary rehabilitation after hospitalization. AIMS In this study, we looked at the benefits of respiratory rehabilitation over a period of six months after SARS-CoV-2 infection. The medical rehabilitation program included physical training, muscle training, nutritional support, psychological support and patient education. METHODS A retrospective study was defined between April 2021-December 2021, including 72 patients who had SARS-CoV-2 infection and who presented various symptoms on discharge. The study was carried out at the Clinical Hospital of Infectious Disease and Pneumoftiziology "Victor Babeș" from Craiova-Pulmonology Department. These patients had a history of obstructive ventilatory dysfunction: asthma or COPD. Patients were monitored during the respiratory rehabilitation program at 3 and 6 months after discharge. RESULTS An improvement in clinical and functional parameters was obtained as a result of the pulmonary rehabilitation. CONCLUSIONS Patients with COPD are increase risk to develop severe forms of COVID-19. Smoking is an important risk factor for SARS-CoV-2 infection and obstructive ventilatory dysfunction. Vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 infection is effective, being associated with mild forms of COVID-19. Pulmonary rehabilitation is a key point in the management of patients with COVID-19, improving exercise capacity, reducing dyspnea, improving health, increasing oxygen saturation and quality of life.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Eugenia-Andreea Marcu
- PhD Student, Doctoral School, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, Romania
| | - Mihai Olteanu
- Internal Medicine-Department of Pulmonology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, Romania
| | - Magdalena Rodica Trăistaru
- Department of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, Romania
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18
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Caruso G, Gambuti E, Spadoni E, Massari L. Simultaneous Rupture of Quadriceps Tendon and Contra-Lateral Patellar Tendon: A Case Report and Review of Literature. CURRENT HEALTH SCIENCES JOURNAL 2022; 48:454-456. [PMID: 37304800 PMCID: PMC10248490 DOI: 10.12865/chsj.48.04.13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2022] [Accepted: 12/20/2022] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Simultaneous rupture of quadriceps and contra-lateral patellar tendons represents an extremely rare injury in healthy individuals. Several systemic diseases predispose patients to this type of condition such as chronic renal failure, rheumatologic disease and hyperparathyroidism. However, there are very few cases in the English literature where a healthy individual presents with this condition. The pathophysiology of this disease is not well known despite numerous hypotheses. Sutures with or without anchors of the quadriceps and patellar tendons seems to lead to satisfactory outcome with knee flexion greater than 100°.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gaetano Caruso
- Department of Neurosciences and Rehabilitation, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
- Orthopedic and Traumatology Unit, S. Anna University Hospital of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Edoardo Gambuti
- Department of Neurosciences and Rehabilitation, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
- Orthopedic and Traumatology Unit, S. Anna University Hospital of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Elisa Spadoni
- Department of Neurosciences and Rehabilitation, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
- Orthopedic and Traumatology Unit, S. Anna University Hospital of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Leo Massari
- Department of Neurosciences and Rehabilitation, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
- Orthopedic and Traumatology Unit, S. Anna University Hospital of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
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Pomacu MM, Stănciulescu CE, Trașcă DM, Pădureanu V, Goga LD, Pisoschi CG, Bugă AM. Relationship between Serum Gamma-Glutamyltransferase and Glutathione Antioxidant System in Patients with Liver Cirrhosis of Various Etiology. CURRENT HEALTH SCIENCES JOURNAL 2022; 48:436-445. [PMID: 37304797 PMCID: PMC10248495 DOI: 10.12865/chsj.48.04.11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2022] [Accepted: 12/15/2022] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Oxidative stress involvement in liver diseases has been extensively studied. A direct assessment of the reactive species incriminated is avoided due to their short lifespan and high cost. For these reasons an inexpensive and easy to perform test for whole body oxidative stress is highly desired. This pilot study was conducted to assess the relationship between γ-glutamyl transferase (GGT) activity and markers of oxidative stress: reduced glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity and lipid peroxidation in patients with liver cirrhosis due to chronic ethanol consumption and viral hepatitis. Forty-eight patients with alcoholic liver cirrhosis and cirrhosis developed after HBV and HCV infection were included in this study.Blood GSH andGPxand serum GGT and MDAwere assayed and the results were statistically analyzed. The activity of serum GGT was significantly higher in the alcoholic group. The relationship between GGT activity, GSH and MDA levels was different between groups.A strong significant positive correlation between GGT and GSH was noticed for the patients from GGT Q3 and Q4 quartiles in the group of viral liver cirrhosis, while for alcoholics the relationship between GGT and GSH showed the trend for a negative correlation.The values of serum MDA differ significantly between groups (p<0.015); a very significant variation was observed at low levels of GGT activity (p<0.006). Our study demonstrates that the GSH antioxidant defense system is more compromisedin alcoholic cirrhosisand tends to correlate negatively with GGT. Even in its normal range GGT might be an early and sensitive marker of oxidative stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mihnea Marian Pomacu
- 4th Department of Medical Specialties, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, Romania
| | | | - Diana Maria Trașcă
- 4th Department of Medical Specialties, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, Romania
| | - Vlad Pădureanu
- 4th Department of Medical Specialties, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, Romania
| | - Liliana Dalia Goga
- Clinical Laboratory of the Emergency County Hospital of Craiova, Romania
| | | | - Ana Maria Bugă
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biochemistry, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, Romania
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Handschuh S, Glösmann M. Mouse embryo phenotyping using X-ray microCT. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:949184. [PMID: 36187491 PMCID: PMC9523164 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.949184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2022] [Accepted: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Microscopic X-ray computed tomography (microCT) is a structural ex vivo imaging technique providing genuine isotropic 3D images from biological samples at micron resolution. MicroCT imaging is non-destructive and combines well with other modalities such as light and electron microscopy in correlative imaging workflows. Protocols for staining embryos with X-ray dense contrast agents enable the acquisition of high-contrast and high-resolution datasets of whole embryos and specific organ systems. High sample throughput is achieved with dedicated setups. Consequently, microCT has gained enormous importance for both qualitative and quantitative phenotyping of mouse development. We here summarize state-of-the-art protocols of sample preparation and imaging procedures, showcase contemporary applications, and discuss possible pitfalls and sources for artefacts. In addition, we give an outlook on phenotyping workflows using microscopic dual energy CT (microDECT) and tissue-specific contrast agents.
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21
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Thomas KN, Zimmel KN, Basel A, Roach AN, Mehta NA, Thomas KR, Dotson LJ, Bedi YS, Golding MC. Paternal alcohol exposures program intergenerational hormetic effects on offspring fetoplacental growth. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:930375. [PMID: 36036017 PMCID: PMC9405020 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.930375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2022] [Accepted: 06/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Hormesis refers to graded adaptive responses to harmful environmental stimuli where low-level toxicant exposures stimulate tissue growth and responsiveness while, in contrast, higher-level exposures induce toxicity. Although the intergenerational inheritance of programmed hormetic growth responses is described in plants and insects, researchers have yet to observe this phenomenon in mammals. Using a physiologically relevant mouse model, we demonstrate that chronic preconception paternal alcohol exposures program nonlinear, dose-dependent changes in offspring fetoplacental growth. Our studies identify an inverse j-shaped curve with a threshold of 2.4 g/Kg per day; below this threshold, paternal ethanol exposures induce programmed increases in placental growth, while doses exceeding this point yield comparative decreases in placental growth. In male offspring, higher paternal exposures induce dose-dependent increases in the placental labyrinth layer but do not impact fetal growth. In contrast, the placental hypertrophy induced by low-level paternal ethanol exposures associate with increased offspring crown-rump length, particularly in male offspring. Finally, alterations in placental physiology correlate with disruptions in both mitochondrial-encoded and imprinted gene expression. Understanding the influence of ethanol on the paternally-inherited epigenetic program and downstream hormetic responses in offspring growth may help explain the enormous variation observed in fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) phenotypes and incidence.
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22
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Taphorn K, Busse M, Brantl J, Günther B, Diaz A, Holler M, Dierolf M, Mayr D, Pfeiffer F, Herzen J. X-ray Stain Localization with Near-Field Ptychographic Computed Tomography. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2022; 9:e2201723. [PMID: 35748171 PMCID: PMC9404393 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202201723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2022] [Revised: 05/17/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Although X-ray contrast agents offer specific characteristics in terms of targeting and attenuation, their accumulation in the tissue on a cellular level is usually not known and difficult to access, as it requires high resolution and sensitivity. Here, quantitative near-field ptychographic X-ray computed tomography is demonstrated to assess the location of X-ray stains at a resolution sufficient to identify intracellular structures by means of a basis material decomposition. On the example of two different X-ray stains, the nonspecific iodine potassium iodide, and eosin Y, which mostly interacts with proteins and peptides in the cell cytoplasm, the distribution of the stains within the cells in murine kidney samples is assessed and compared to unstained samples with similar structural features. Quantitative nanoscopic stain concentrations are in good agreement with dual-energy micro computed tomography measurements, the state-of-the-art modality for material-selective imaging. The presented approach can be applied to a variety of X-ray stains advancing the development of X-ray contrast agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kirsten Taphorn
- Chair of Biomedical PhysicsDepartment of PhysicsSchool of Natural SciencesTechnical University of Munich85748GarchingGermany
- Munich Institute of Biomedical Engineering (MIBE)Technical University of Munich85748GarchingGermany
| | - Madleen Busse
- Chair of Biomedical PhysicsDepartment of PhysicsSchool of Natural SciencesTechnical University of Munich85748GarchingGermany
- Munich Institute of Biomedical Engineering (MIBE)Technical University of Munich85748GarchingGermany
| | - Johannes Brantl
- Chair of Biomedical PhysicsDepartment of PhysicsSchool of Natural SciencesTechnical University of Munich85748GarchingGermany
- Munich Institute of Biomedical Engineering (MIBE)Technical University of Munich85748GarchingGermany
| | - Benedikt Günther
- Chair of Biomedical PhysicsDepartment of PhysicsSchool of Natural SciencesTechnical University of Munich85748GarchingGermany
- Munich Institute of Biomedical Engineering (MIBE)Technical University of Munich85748GarchingGermany
| | - Ana Diaz
- Paul Scherrer InstituteVilligen5232Switzerland
| | | | - Martin Dierolf
- Chair of Biomedical PhysicsDepartment of PhysicsSchool of Natural SciencesTechnical University of Munich85748GarchingGermany
- Munich Institute of Biomedical Engineering (MIBE)Technical University of Munich85748GarchingGermany
| | - Doris Mayr
- Institute of PathologyLudwig‐Maximilians‐University80337MunichGermany
| | - Franz Pfeiffer
- Chair of Biomedical PhysicsDepartment of PhysicsSchool of Natural SciencesTechnical University of Munich85748GarchingGermany
- Munich Institute of Biomedical Engineering (MIBE)Technical University of Munich85748GarchingGermany
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional RadiologySchool of Medicine & Klinikum rechts der IsarTechnical University of Munich81675MünchenGermany
- Institute for Advanced StudyTechnical University of Munich85748GarchingGermany
| | - Julia Herzen
- Chair of Biomedical PhysicsDepartment of PhysicsSchool of Natural SciencesTechnical University of Munich85748GarchingGermany
- Munich Institute of Biomedical Engineering (MIBE)Technical University of Munich85748GarchingGermany
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23
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Ruican D, Petrescu AM, Istrate-Ofiţeru AM, Iliescu DG. Postmortem Evaluation of First Trimester Fetal Heart. CURRENT HEALTH SCIENCES JOURNAL 2022; 48:247-254. [PMID: 36815087 PMCID: PMC9940927 DOI: 10.12865/chsj.48.03.01] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2022] [Accepted: 07/18/2022] [Indexed: 02/24/2023]
Abstract
Due to rapid technology advancement and increasing diagnostic expertise, fetal medicine is rapidly improving. Prenatal diagnostic advancements made it possible to identify structural abnormalities in fetuses as early as the first trimester of pregnancy. However, to validate the echocardiographic diagnosis that led to the pregnancy termination, the termination of pregnancy owing to severe fetal deformities should be audited in accordance with a correct anatomic diagnosis. Following the PRISMA declaration, a systematic literature search was done to find articles on post-mortem first trimester human fetal heart evaluation. Thirteen suitable studies were found using the search method. It is theoretically possible to examine the human fetal heart after death in early pregnancy however these methods are not widely available due the costs associated with the procedure and the equipment, the effects of tissue coloration and distortion brought on by the fixation and contrasting processes (for micro-CT), the current requirement for a skilled operator to acquire, reconstruct, and process the images, and data storage requirements greater than those of conventional clinical scans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Ruican
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Emergency County Hospital, Craiova, Romania
- Doctoral School, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, Romania
| | - Ana-Maria Petrescu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Emergency County Hospital, Craiova, Romania
| | - Anca-Maria Istrate-Ofiţeru
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Emergency County Hospital, Craiova, Romania
- Research Centre for Microscopic Morphology and Immunology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, Romania
- Department of Histology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, Romania
| | - Dominic Gabriel Iliescu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Emergency County Hospital, Craiova, Romania
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, Romania
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24
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Motch Perrine SM, Pitirri MK, Durham EL, Kawasaki M, Zheng H, Chen DZ, Kawasaki K, Richtsmeier JT. A dysmorphic mouse model reveals developmental interactions of chondrocranium and dermatocranium. eLife 2022; 11:76653. [PMID: 35704354 PMCID: PMC9259032 DOI: 10.7554/elife.76653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2021] [Accepted: 06/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The cranial endo- and dermal skeletons, which comprise the vertebrate skull, evolved independently over 470 million years ago and form separately during embryogenesis. In mammals, much of the cartilaginous chondrocranium is transient, undergoing endochondral ossification or disappearing, so its role in skull morphogenesis is not well studied and it remains an enigmatic structure. We provide complete three-dimensional (3D) reconstructions of the laboratory mouse chondrocranium from embryonic day 13.5 through 17.5 using a novel methodology of uncertainty-guided segmentation of phosphotungstic enhanced 3D microcomputed tomography images with sparse annotation. We evaluate the embryonic mouse chondrocranium and dermatocranium in 3D and delineate the effects of a Fgfr2 variant on embryonic chondrocranial cartilages and on their association with forming dermal bones using the Fgfr2cC342Y/+ Crouzon syndrome mouse. We show that the dermatocranium develops outside of and in shapes that conform to the chondrocranium. Results reveal direct effects of the Fgfr2 variant on embryonic cartilage, on chondrocranium morphology, and on the association between chondrocranium and dermatocranium development. Histologically we observe a trend of relatively more chondrocytes, larger chondrocytes, and/or more matrix in the Fgfr2cC342Y/+ embryos at all timepoints before the chondrocranium begins to disintegrate at E16.5. The chondrocrania and forming dermatocrania of Fgfr2cC342Y/+ embryos are relatively large, but a contrasting trend begins at E16.5 and continues into early postnatal (P0 and P2) timepoints, with the skulls of older Fgfr2cC342Y/+ mice reduced in most dimensions compared to Fgfr2c+/+ littermates. Our findings have implications for the study and treatment of human craniofacial disease, for understanding the impact of chondrocranial morphology on skull growth, and potentially on the evolution of skull morphology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan M Motch Perrine
- Department of Anthropology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, United States
| | - M Kathleen Pitirri
- Department of Anthropology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, United States
| | - Emily L Durham
- Department of Anthropology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, United States
| | - Mizuho Kawasaki
- Department of Anthropology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, United States
| | - Hao Zheng
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, United States
| | - Danny Z Chen
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, United States
| | - Kazuhiko Kawasaki
- Department of Anthropology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, United States
| | - Joan T Richtsmeier
- Department of Anthropology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, United States
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25
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Pitirri MK, Durham EL, Romano NA, Santos JI, Coupe AP, Zheng H, Chen DZ, Kawasaki K, Jabs EW, Richtsmeier JT, Wu M, Motch Perrine SM. Meckel's Cartilage in Mandibular Development and Dysmorphogenesis. Front Genet 2022; 13:871927. [PMID: 35651944 PMCID: PMC9149363 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.871927] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2022] [Accepted: 04/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
The Fgfr2cC342Y/+ Crouzon syndrome mouse model carries a cysteine to tyrosine substitution at amino acid position 342 (Cys342Tyr; C342Y) in the fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 (Fgfr2) gene equivalent to a FGFR2 mutation commonly associated with Crouzon and Pfeiffer syndromes in humans. The Fgfr2c C342Y mutation results in constitutive activation of the receptor and is associated with upregulation of osteogenic differentiation. Fgfr2cC342Y/+ Crouzon syndrome mice show premature closure of the coronal suture and other craniofacial anomalies including malocclusion of teeth, most likely due to abnormal craniofacial form. Malformation of the mandible can precipitate a plethora of complications including disrupting development of the upper jaw and palate, impediment of the airway, and alteration of occlusion necessary for proper mastication. The current paradigm of mandibular development assumes that Meckel’s cartilage (MC) serves as a support or model for mandibular bone formation and as a template for the later forming mandible. If valid, this implies a functional relationship between MC and the forming mandible, so mandibular dysmorphogenesis might be discerned in MC affecting the relationship between MC and mandibular bone. Here we investigate the relationship of MC to mandible development from the early mineralization of the mandible (E13.5) through the initiation of MC degradation at E17.7 using Fgfr2cC342Y/+ Crouzon syndrome embryos and their unaffected littermates (Fgfr2c+/+). Differences between genotypes in both MC and mandibular bone are subtle, however MC of Fgfr2cC342Y/+ embryos is generally longer relative to unaffected littermates at E15.5 with specific aspects remaining relatively large at E17.5. In contrast, mandibular bone is smaller overall in Fgfr2cC342Y/+ embryos relative to their unaffected littermates at E15.5 with the posterior aspect remaining relatively small at E17.5. At a cellular level, differences are identified between genotypes early (E13.5) followed by reduced proliferation in MC (E15.5) and in the forming mandible (E17.5) in Fgfr2cC342Y/+ embryos. Activation of the ERK pathways is reduced in the perichondrium of MC in Fgfr2cC342Y/+ embryos and increased in bone related cells at E15.5. These data reveal that the Fgfr2c C342Y mutation differentially affects cells by type, location, and developmental age indicating a complex set of changes in the cells that make up the lower jaw.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Kathleen Pitirri
- Department of Anthropology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, United States
| | - Emily L Durham
- Department of Anthropology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, United States
| | - Natalie A Romano
- Department of Anthropology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, United States
| | - Jacob I Santos
- Department of Anthropology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, United States
| | - Abigail P Coupe
- Department of Anthropology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, United States
| | - Hao Zheng
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, United States
| | - Danny Z Chen
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, United States
| | - Kazuhiko Kawasaki
- Department of Anthropology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, United States
| | - Ethylin Wang Jabs
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
| | - Joan T Richtsmeier
- Department of Anthropology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, United States
| | - Meng Wu
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
| | - Susan M Motch Perrine
- Department of Anthropology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, United States
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26
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Alam SS, Kumar S, Beauchamp MC, Bareke E, Boucher A, Nzirorera N, Dong Y, Padilla R, Zhang SJ, Majewski J, Jerome-Majewska LA. Snrpb is required in murine neural crest cells for proper splicing and craniofacial morphogenesis. Dis Model Mech 2022; 15:275486. [PMID: 35593225 PMCID: PMC9235875 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.049544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2022] [Accepted: 05/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Heterozygous mutations in SNRPB, an essential core component of the five small ribonucleoprotein particles of the spliceosome, are responsible for cerebrocostomandibular syndrome (CCMS). We show that Snrpb heterozygous mouse embryos arrest shortly after implantation. Additionally, heterozygous deletion of Snrpb in the developing brain and neural crest cells models craniofacial malformations found in CCMS, and results in death shortly after birth. RNAseq analysis of mutant heads prior to morphological defects revealed increased exon skipping and intron retention in association with increased 5′ splice site strength. We found increased exon skipping in negative regulators of the P53 pathway, along with increased levels of nuclear P53 and P53 target genes. However, removing Trp53 in Snrpb heterozygous mutant neural crest cells did not completely rescue craniofacial development. We also found a small but significant increase in exon skipping of several transcripts required for head and midface development, including Smad2 and Rere. Furthermore, mutant embryos exhibited ectopic or missing expression of Fgf8 and Shh, which are required to coordinate face and brain development. Thus, we propose that mis-splicing of transcripts that regulate P53 activity and craniofacial-specific genes contributes to craniofacial malformations. This article has an associated First Person interview with the first author of the paper. Summary: We report the first mouse model for cerebrocostomandibular syndrome, showing that mis-splicing of transcripts that regulate P53 activity and craniofacial-specific genes contributes to craniofacial malformations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabrina Shameen Alam
- Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre at Glen Site, Montreal, QC H4A 3J1, Canada.,Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 0G1, Canada
| | - Shruti Kumar
- Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre at Glen Site, Montreal, QC H4A 3J1, Canada.,Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 0G1, Canada
| | - Marie-Claude Beauchamp
- Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre at Glen Site, Montreal, QC H4A 3J1, Canada
| | - Eric Bareke
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 0G1, Canada
| | - Alexia Boucher
- Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre at Glen Site, Montreal, QC H4A 3J1, Canada.,Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 2B2, Canada
| | - Nadine Nzirorera
- Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre at Glen Site, Montreal, QC H4A 3J1, Canada.,Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 0G1, Canada
| | - Yanchen Dong
- Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre at Glen Site, Montreal, QC H4A 3J1, Canada.,Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 0G1, Canada
| | - Reinnier Padilla
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 0G1, Canada
| | - Si Jing Zhang
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 0G1, Canada
| | - Jacek Majewski
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 0G1, Canada
| | - Loydie A Jerome-Majewska
- Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre at Glen Site, Montreal, QC H4A 3J1, Canada.,Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 0G1, Canada.,Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 2B2, Canada.,Department of Pediatrics, McGill University, Montreal, QC H4A 3J1, Canada
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27
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Rivera-Quiroz FA, Miller JA. Micro-CT visualization of the CNS: Performance of different contrast-enhancing techniques for documenting the spider brain. J Comp Neurol 2022; 530:2474-2485. [PMID: 35598086 PMCID: PMC9540357 DOI: 10.1002/cne.25343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2021] [Revised: 04/01/2022] [Accepted: 04/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Spider brain and central nervous system (CNS) have remained unexplored, due in part to the difficulty of observing these organs, usually only possible through histological preparations. Recently, internal anatomy studies have been supplemented by the inclusion of X‐ ray micro‐CT. Unmineralized tissue such as the body of invertebrates requires a staining process to enhance tissue X‐ray absorption and improve contrast during observation. Many current protocols are based on iodine staining requiring critical point drying (CPD) of the sample for optimal contrast. This process induces shrinking of the soft tissue generating artifacts in the morphology, volume, and even position of internal structures. Phosphotungstic acid (PTA) is an alternative staining agent recently used in marine invertebrate and plant studies. Here, we used several specimens of the common spider Araneus diadematus to visualize the spider brain and compare both contrast‐enhancing ethanol‐based solutions. We assessed a gradient of staining times, observed and tested the repercussions of CPD, and examined the use of vacuum to accelerate PTA diffusion. We show that PTA provides the best contrast on micro‐CT scans in ethanol eliminating the need for CPD, and offering more realistic in situ visualizations of the internal organs. In combination with different scanning settings, PTA allowed observation of internal organs like the CNS, digestive system, muscles, and finer structures like the retina, visual nerves, and optic neuropiles. This fast and less invasive method could facilitate the proper documentation of the internal anatomy in the context of evolutionary, developmental and functional studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francisco Andres Rivera-Quiroz
- Understanding Evolution Research Group, Naturalis Biodiversity Center, Leiden, The Netherlands.,Institute for Biology Leiden (IBL), Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Jeremy A Miller
- Understanding Evolution Research Group, Naturalis Biodiversity Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
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28
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Reconstructing topography and extent of injury to the superior mesenteric artery plexus in right colectomy with extended D3 mesenterectomy: a composite multimodal 3-dimensional analysis. Surg Endosc 2022; 36:7607-7618. [PMID: 35380284 PMCID: PMC9485098 DOI: 10.1007/s00464-022-09200-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2021] [Accepted: 03/17/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Superior mesenteric artery plexus (SMAP) injury is reported to cause postoperative intractable diarrhea after pancreatic/colonic surgery with extended lymphadenectomy. This study aims to describe the SMAP microanatomy and extent of injury after right colectomy with extended D3 mesenterectomy for cancer.
Methods
Three groups (I) anatomical dissection, (II) postmortem histology, and (III) surgical specimen histology were included. Nerve count and area were compared between groups II and III and paravascular sheath thickness between groups I and II. 3D models were generated through 3D histology, nanoCT scanning, and finally through 3D printing.
Results
A total of 21 specimens were included as follows: Group (I): 5 (3 females, 80–93 years), the SMAP is a complex mesh surrounding the superior mesenteric artery (SMA), branching out, following peripheral arteries and intertwining between them, (II): 7 (5 females, 71–86 years), nerve count: 53 ± 12.42 (38–68), and area: 1.84 ± 0.50 mm2 (1.16–2.29), and (III): 9 (5 females, 55–69 years), nerve count: 31.6 ± 6.74 (range 23–43), and area: 0.889 ± 0.45 mm2 (range 0.479–1.668). SMAP transection injury is 59% of nerve count and 48% of nerve area at middle colic artery origin level. The median values of paravascular sheath thickness decreased caudally from 2.05 to 1.04 mm (anatomical dissection) and from 2.65 to 1.17 mm (postmortem histology). 3D histology models present nerve fibers exclusively within the paravascular sheath, and lymph nodes were observed only outside. NanoCT-derived models reveal oblique nerve fiber trajectories with inclinations between 35° and 55°. Two 3D-printed models of the SMAP were also achieved in a 1:2 scale.
Conclusion
SMAP surrounds the SMA and branches within the paravascular sheath, while bowel lymph nodes and vessels lie outside. Extent of SMAP injury on histological slides (transection only) was 48% nerve area and 59% nerve count. The 35°–55° inclination range of SMAP nerves possibly imply an even larger injury when plexus excision is performed (lymphadenectomy). Reasons for later improvement of bowel function in these patients can lie in the interarterial nerve fibers between SMA branches.
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29
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Quantitative 3D analysis and visualization of cardiac fibrosis by microcomputed tomography. STAR Protoc 2022; 3:101055. [PMID: 35005637 PMCID: PMC8715218 DOI: 10.1016/j.xpro.2021.101055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Following myocardial infarction, damaged myocardium is replaced with a fibrotic scar that preserves cardiac structural integrity. Scar area measured from sample 2D images of serial heart sections does not faithfully measure the extent of fibrosis due to structural heterogeneity caused by tissue dynamics. Here, we present an X-ray microcomputed tomography (micro-CT) workflow that generates accurate volumetric quantification of scar and surviving myocardium in infarcted mouse hearts. This workflow could be applied to other fibrotic organs or hearts from other species. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Janbandhu et al. (2021). A streamlined pipeline for 3D volumetric quantification of scar and myocardium Focus on sample processing and image acquisition parameters Description of 3D reconstruction of X-ray microcomputed tomography dataset Scalable to other cardiac volumetric measurements or other organs
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30
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Diaz RE, Taylor-Diaz EA, Trainor PA, Diogo R, Molnar JL. Comparative development of limb musculature in phylogenetically and ecologically divergent lizards. Dev Dyn 2021; 251:1576-1612. [PMID: 34927301 DOI: 10.1002/dvdy.447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2021] [Revised: 12/15/2021] [Accepted: 12/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Squamate reptiles (lizards, snakes, and amphisbaenians) exhibit incredible diversity in their locomotion, behavior, morphology, and ecological breadth. Although they often are used as models of locomotor diversity, surprisingly little attention has been given to muscle development in squamate reptiles. In fact, the most detailed examination was conducted almost 80 years ago and solely focused on the proximal limb regions. Herein, we present forelimb and hindlimb muscle morphogenesis data for three lizard species with different locomotion and feeding strategies: the desert grassland whiptail lizard, the central bearded dragon, and the veiled chameleon. This study fills critical gaps in our understanding of muscle morphogenesis in squamate reptiles and presents a comparative and temporospatial analysis of muscle development. RESULTS Our results reveal a conserved pattern of early muscle development among lizards with different adult morphologies and ecologies. The variations that exist are concentrated in distal regions, particularly the specialized autopodia of chameleons, where differentiation of muscles associated with the digits is delayed. CONCLUSIONS The chameleon autopod provides an example of major evolutionary modifications to the skeleton with only minor disruption of the conserved order and pattern of limb muscle development. This robustness of muscle patterning facilitates the evolution of extreme yet functional phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raul E Diaz
- Department of Biological Sciences, California State University, Los Angeles, California, USA.,Department of Herpetology, Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Elizabeth A Taylor-Diaz
- Department of Biological Sciences, California State University, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Paul A Trainor
- Investigator, Stowers Institute for Medical Research, Kansas City, Missouri, USA.,Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas, USA
| | - Rui Diogo
- Department of Anatomy, Howard University College of Medicine, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - Julia L Molnar
- Department of Anatomy, New York Institute of Technology, College of Osteopathic Medicine, Old Westbury, New York, USA
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31
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Thomas KN, Zimmel KN, Roach AN, Basel A, Mehta NA, Bedi YS, Golding MC. Maternal background alters the penetrance of growth phenotypes and sex-specific placental adaptation of offspring sired by alcohol-exposed males. FASEB J 2021; 35:e22035. [PMID: 34748230 PMCID: PMC8713293 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202101131r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2021] [Revised: 10/05/2021] [Accepted: 10/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Epigenetic mechanisms of paternal inheritance are an emerging area of interest in our efforts to understand fetal alcohol spectrum disorders. In rodent models examining maternal alcohol exposures, different maternal genetic backgrounds protect or sensitize offspring to alcohol‐induced teratogenesis. However, whether maternal background can mitigate sperm‐inherited alterations in developmental programming and modify the penetrance of growth defects induced by preconception paternal alcohol exposures remains unaddressed. In our previous studies examining pure C57Bl/6J crosses, the offspring of alcohol‐exposed sires exhibited fetal growth restriction, enlarged placentas, and decreased placental efficiency. Here, we find that in contrast to our previous studies, the F1 offspring of alcohol‐exposed C57Bl/6J sires and CD‐1 dams do not exhibit fetal growth restriction, with male fetuses developing smaller placentas and increased placental efficiencies. However, in these hybrid offspring, preconception paternal alcohol exposure induces sex‐specific changes in placental morphology. Specifically, the female offspring of alcohol‐exposed sires displayed structural changes in the junctional and labyrinth zones, along with increased placental glycogen content. These changes in placental organization are accompanied by female‐specific alterations in the expression of imprinted genes Cdkn1c and H19. Although male placentae do not display overt changes in placental histology, using RNA‐sequencing, we identified programmed alterations in genes regulating oxidative phosphorylation, mitochondrial function, and Sirtuin signaling. Collectively, our data reveal that preconception paternal alcohol exposure transmits a stressor to developing offspring, that males and females exhibit distinct patterns of placental adaptation, and that maternal genetic background can modulate the effects of paternal alcohol exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kara N Thomas
- Department of Veterinary Physiology & Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA
| | - Katherine N Zimmel
- Department of Veterinary Physiology & Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA
| | - Alexis N Roach
- Department of Veterinary Physiology & Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA
| | - Alison Basel
- Department of Veterinary Physiology & Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA
| | - Nicole A Mehta
- Department of Veterinary Physiology & Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA
| | - Yudhishtar S Bedi
- Department of Veterinary Physiology & Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA
| | - Michael C Golding
- Department of Veterinary Physiology & Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA
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32
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Kwon KA, Bax DV, Shepherd JH, Cameron RE, Best SM. Avoiding artefacts in MicroCT imaging of collagen scaffolds: Effect of phosphotungstic acid (PTA)-staining and crosslink density. Bioact Mater 2021; 8:210-219. [PMID: 34541397 PMCID: PMC8424391 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioactmat.2021.06.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2021] [Revised: 06/04/2021] [Accepted: 06/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
X-ray micro-computed tomography (μ-CT) can be used to provide both qualitative and quantitative information on the structure of three-dimensional (3D) bioactive scaffolds. When performed in a dry state, μ-CT accurately reflects the structure of collagen-based scaffolds, but imaging in a wet state offers challenges with radiolucency. Here we have used phosphotungstic acid (PTA) as a contrast agent to visualise fully hydrated collagen scaffolds in a physiologically relevant environment. A systematic investigation was performed to understand the effects of PTA on the results of μ-CT imaging by varying sample processing variables such as crosslinking density, hydration medium and staining duration. Immersing samples in 0.3% PTA solution overnight completely stained the samples and the treatment provided a successful route for μ-CT analysis of crosslinked samples. However, significant structural artefacts were observed for samples which were either non-crosslinked or had low levels of crosslinking, which had a heterogeneous interior architecture with collapsed pores at the scaffold periphery. This work highlights the importance of optimising the choice of processing and staining conditions to ensure accurate visualisation for hydrated 3D collagen scaffolds in an aqueous medium. Important new insights on artefact prevention in scaffold imaging. First time μ-CT imaging of a hydrated collagen scaffold is reported. Optimisation of the use of phosphotungstic acid in μ-CT imaging. Correlation between crosslinking degree and artefact creation is established. A solution to processing and staining issues is highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyung-Ah Kwon
- Cambridge Centre for Medical Materials, Department of Materials Science and Metallurgy, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- Corresponding author.
| | - Daniel V. Bax
- Cambridge Centre for Medical Materials, Department of Materials Science and Metallurgy, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | | | - Ruth E. Cameron
- Cambridge Centre for Medical Materials, Department of Materials Science and Metallurgy, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Serena M. Best
- Cambridge Centre for Medical Materials, Department of Materials Science and Metallurgy, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
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33
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Bryant JP, Chandrashekhar V, Cappadona AJ, Lookian PP, Chandrashekhar V, Donahue DR, Munasinghe JB, Kim HJ, Vortmeyer AO, Heiss JD, Zhuang Z, Rosenblum JS. Multimodal Atlas of the Murine Inner Ear: From Embryo to Adult. Front Neurol 2021; 12:699674. [PMID: 34335453 PMCID: PMC8319626 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2021.699674] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2021] [Accepted: 06/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
The inner ear is a complex organ housed within the petrous bone of the skull. Its intimate relationship with the brain enables the transmission of auditory and vestibular signals via cranial nerves. Development of this structure from neural crest begins in utero and continues into early adulthood. However, the anatomy of the murine inner ear has only been well-characterized from early embryogenesis to post-natal day 6. Inner ear and skull base development continue into the post-natal period in mice and early adulthood in humans. Traditional methods used to evaluate the inner ear in animal models, such as histologic sectioning or paint-fill and corrosion, cannot visualize this complex anatomy in situ. Further, as the petrous bone ossifies in the postnatal period, these traditional techniques become increasingly difficult. Advances in modern imaging, including high resolution Micro-CT and MRI, now allow for 3D visualization of the in situ anatomy of organs such as the inner ear. Here, we present a longitudinal atlas of the murine inner ear using high resolution ex vivo Micro-CT and MRI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean-Paul Bryant
- Surgical Neurology Branch, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Vikram Chandrashekhar
- Neuro-Oncology Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States.,Center for Imaging Science, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Anthony J Cappadona
- Neuro-Oncology Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Pashayar P Lookian
- Surgical Neurology Branch, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States.,Neuro-Oncology Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | | | - Danielle R Donahue
- Mouse Imaging Facility, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Jeeva B Munasinghe
- Mouse Imaging Facility, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - H Jeffrey Kim
- Department of Otolaryngology, Georgetown University School of Medicine, Washington, DC, United States.,Office of Clinical Director, National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Alexander O Vortmeyer
- Department of Pathology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
| | - John D Heiss
- Surgical Neurology Branch, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Zhengping Zhuang
- Neuro-Oncology Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Jared S Rosenblum
- Surgical Neurology Branch, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States.,Neuro-Oncology Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
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34
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Llambrich S, Wouters J, Himmelreich U, Dierssen M, Sharpe J, Gsell W, Martínez-Abadías N, Vande Velde G. ViceCT and whiceCT for simultaneous high-resolution visualization of craniofacial, brain and ventricular anatomy from micro-computed tomography. Sci Rep 2020; 10:18772. [PMID: 33128010 PMCID: PMC7599226 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-75720-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2020] [Accepted: 10/13/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Up to 40% of congenital diseases present disturbances of brain and craniofacial development resulting in simultaneous alterations of both systems. Currently, the best available method to preclinically visualize the brain and the bones simultaneously is to co-register micro-magnetic resonance (µMR) and micro-computed tomography (µCT) scans of the same specimen. However, this requires expertise and access to both imaging techniques, dedicated software and post-processing knowhow. To provide a more affordable, reliable and accessible alternative, recent research has focused on optimizing a contrast-enhanced µCT protocol using iodine as contrast agent that delivers brain and bone images from a single scan. However, the available methods still cannot provide the complete visualization of both the brain and whole craniofacial complex. In this study, we have established an optimized protocol to diffuse the contrast into the brain that allows visualizing the brain parenchyma and the complete craniofacial structure in a single ex vivo µCT scan (whiceCT). In addition, we have developed a new technique that allows visualizing the brain ventricles using a bilateral stereotactic injection of iodine-based contrast (viceCT). Finally, we have tested both techniques in a mouse model of Down syndrome, as it is a neurodevelopmental disorder with craniofacial, brain and ventricle defects. The combined use of viceCT and whiceCT provides a complete visualization of the brain and bones with intact craniofacial structure of an adult mouse ex vivo using a single imaging modality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergi Llambrich
- Biomedical Imaging, Department of Imaging and Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49 O&N1 box 505, 3000, Leuven, Belgium.,Molecular Small Animal Imaging Centre (MoSAIC), KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jens Wouters
- Biomedical Imaging, Department of Imaging and Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49 O&N1 box 505, 3000, Leuven, Belgium.,Molecular Small Animal Imaging Centre (MoSAIC), KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Uwe Himmelreich
- Biomedical Imaging, Department of Imaging and Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49 O&N1 box 505, 3000, Leuven, Belgium.,Molecular Small Animal Imaging Centre (MoSAIC), KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Mara Dierssen
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG, The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, 08003, Barcelona, Spain.,Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), 08003, Barcelona, Spain
| | - James Sharpe
- EMBL Barcelona, European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Barcelona, Spain Institució Catalana de Recerca I Estudis Avançats (ICREA), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Willy Gsell
- Biomedical Imaging, Department of Imaging and Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49 O&N1 box 505, 3000, Leuven, Belgium.,Molecular Small Animal Imaging Centre (MoSAIC), KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Neus Martínez-Abadías
- GREAB-Research Group in Biological Anthropology. Department of Evolutionary Biology, Ecology and Environmental Sciences, BEECA. Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Greetje Vande Velde
- Biomedical Imaging, Department of Imaging and Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49 O&N1 box 505, 3000, Leuven, Belgium. .,Molecular Small Animal Imaging Centre (MoSAIC), KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
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35
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Zheng H, Perrine SMM, Pitirri MK, Kawasaki K, Wang C, Richtsmeier JT, Chen DZ. Cartilage Segmentation in High-Resolution 3D Micro-CT Images via Uncertainty-Guided Self-training with Very Sparse Annotation. MEDICAL IMAGE COMPUTING AND COMPUTER-ASSISTED INTERVENTION : MICCAI ... INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON MEDICAL IMAGE COMPUTING AND COMPUTER-ASSISTED INTERVENTION 2020; 12261:802-812. [PMID: 33283209 PMCID: PMC7711309 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-59710-8_78] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Craniofacial syndromes often involve skeletal defects of the head. Studying the development of the chondrocranium (the part of the endoskeleton that protects the brain and other sense organs) is crucial to understanding genotype-phenotype relationships and early detection of skeletal malformation. Our goal is to segment craniofacial cartilages in 3D micro-CT images of embryonic mice stained with phosphotungstic acid. However, due to high image resolution, complex object structures, and low contrast, delineating fine-grained structures in these images is very challenging, even manually. Specifically, only experts can differentiate cartilages, and it is unrealistic to manually label whole volumes for deep learning model training. We propose a new framework to progressively segment cartilages in high-resolution 3D micro-CT images using extremely sparse annotation (e.g., annotating only a few selected slices in a volume). Our model consists of a lightweight fully convolutional network (FCN) to accelerate the training speed and generate pseudo labels (PLs) for unlabeled slices. Meanwhile, we take into account the reliability of PLs using a bootstrap ensemble based uncertainty quantification method. Further, our framework gradually learns from the PLs with the guidance of the uncertainty estimation via self-training. Experiments show that our method achieves high segmentation accuracy compared to prior arts and obtains performance gains by iterative self-training.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Zheng
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
| | - Susan M Motch Perrine
- Department of Anthropology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - M Kathleen Pitirri
- Department of Anthropology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Kazuhiko Kawasaki
- Department of Anthropology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Chaoli Wang
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
| | - Joan T Richtsmeier
- Department of Anthropology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Danny Z Chen
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
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36
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Lam AS, Liu CC, Deutsch GH, Rivera J, Perkins JA, Holmes G, Jabs EW, Cunningham ML, Dahl JP. Genotype-Phenotype Correlation of Tracheal Cartilaginous Sleeves and Fgfr2 Mutations in Mice. Laryngoscope 2020; 131:E1349-E1356. [PMID: 32886384 DOI: 10.1002/lary.29060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2020] [Revised: 07/22/2020] [Accepted: 08/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To characterize tracheal cartilage morphology in mouse models of fibroblast growth factor receptor (Fgfr2)-related craniosynostosis syndromes. To establish relationships between specific Fgfr2 mutations and tracheal cartilaginous sleeve (TCS) phenotypes in these mouse models. METHODS Postnatal day 0 knock-in mouse lines with disease-specific genetic variations in the Fgfr2 gene (Fgfr2C342Y/C342Y , Fgfr2C342Y/+ , Fgfr2+/Y394C , Fgfr2+/S252W , and Fgfr2+/P253R ) as well as line-specific controls were utilized. Tracheal cartilage morphology as measured by gross analyses, microcomputed tomography (μCT), and histopathology were compared using Chi-squared and single-factor analysis of variance statistical tests. RESULTS A greater proportion of rings per trachea were abnormal in Fgfr2C342Y/+ tracheas (63%) than Fgfr2+/S252W (17%), Fgfr2+/P253R (17%), Fgfr2+/Y394C (12%), and controls (10%) (P < .001 for each vs. Fgfr2C342Y/+ ). TCS segments were found only in Fgfr2C342Y/C342Y (100%) and Fgfr2C342Y/+ (72%) tracheas. Cricoid and first-tracheal ring fusion was noted in all Fgfr2C342Y/C342Y and 94% of Fgfr2C342Y/+ samples. The Fgfr2C342Y/C342Y and Fgfr2C342Y/+ groups were found to have greater areas and volumes of cartilage than other lines on gross analysis and μCT. Histologic analyses confirmed TCS among the Fgfr2C342Y/C342Y and Fgfr2C342Y/+ groups, without appreciable differences in cartilage morphology, cell size, or density; no histologic differences were observed among other Fgfr2 lines compared to controls. CONCLUSION This study found TCS phenotypes only in the Fgfr2C342Y mouse lines. These lines also had increased tracheal cartilage compared to other mutant lines and controls. These data support further study of the Fgfr2 mouse lines and the investigation of other Fgfr2 variants to better understand their role in tracheal development and TCS formation. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE NA Laryngoscope, 131:E1349-E1356, 2021.
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Affiliation(s)
- Austin S Lam
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington, U.S.A.,Division of Pediatric Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery, Seattle Children's Hospital, Seattle, Washington, U.S.A.,Seattle Children's Research Institute, Center for Developmental Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Seattle, Washington, U.S.A
| | - Carrie C Liu
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington, U.S.A.,Division of Pediatric Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery, Seattle Children's Hospital, Seattle, Washington, U.S.A.,Current address: Divisions of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, and Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Gail H Deutsch
- Department of Pathology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington, U.S.A.,Department of Pathology, Seattle Children's Hospital, Seattle, Washington, U.S.A
| | - Joshua Rivera
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York City, New York, U.S.A.,Current address: Center for Personalized Cancer Therapy, University of Massachusetts, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.A
| | - Jonathan A Perkins
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington, U.S.A.,Division of Pediatric Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery, Seattle Children's Hospital, Seattle, Washington, U.S.A.,Craniofacial Center, Seattle Children's Hospital, Seattle, Washington, U.S.A
| | - Greg Holmes
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York City, New York, U.S.A
| | - Ethylin W Jabs
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York City, New York, U.S.A
| | - Michael L Cunningham
- Seattle Children's Research Institute, Center for Developmental Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Seattle, Washington, U.S.A.,Craniofacial Center, Seattle Children's Hospital, Seattle, Washington, U.S.A.,Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington, U.S.A
| | - John P Dahl
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington, U.S.A.,Division of Pediatric Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery, Seattle Children's Hospital, Seattle, Washington, U.S.A.,Craniofacial Center, Seattle Children's Hospital, Seattle, Washington, U.S.A
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37
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X-ray Micro-Computed Tomography: An Emerging Technology to Analyze Vascular Calcification in Animal Models. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21124538. [PMID: 32630604 PMCID: PMC7352990 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21124538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2020] [Revised: 06/16/2020] [Accepted: 06/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Vascular calcification describes the formation of mineralized tissue within the blood vessel wall, and it is highly associated with increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in patients with chronic kidney disease, diabetes, and atherosclerosis. In this article, we briefly review different rodent models used to study vascular calcification in vivo, and critically assess the strengths and weaknesses of the current techniques used to analyze and quantify calcification in these models, namely 2-D histology and the o-cresolphthalein assay. In light of this, we examine X-ray micro-computed tomography (µCT) as an emerging complementary tool for the analysis of vascular calcification in animal models. We demonstrate that this non-destructive technique allows us to simultaneously quantify and localize calcification in an intact vessel in 3-D, and we consider recent advances in µCT sample preparation techniques. This review also discusses the potential to combine 3-D µCT analyses with subsequent 2-D histological, immunohistochemical, and proteomic approaches in correlative microscopy workflows to obtain rich, multifaceted information on calcification volume, calcification load, and signaling mechanisms from within the same arterial segment. In conclusion we briefly discuss the potential use of µCT to visualize and measure vascular calcification in vivo in real-time.
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38
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Pitirri MK, Kawasaki K, Richtsmeier JT. It takes two: Building the vertebrate skull from chondrocranium and dermatocranium. VERTEBRATE ZOOLOGY 2020; 70:587-600. [PMID: 33163116 PMCID: PMC7644101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
In most modern bony vertebrates, a considerable portion of the chondrocranium remains cartilaginous only during a relatively small window of embryonic development, making it difficult to study this complex structure. Yet, the transient nature of some chondrocranial elements is precisely why it is so intriguing. Since the chondrocranium has never been lost in any vertebrate, its function is critical to craniofacial development, disease, and evolution. Experimental evidence for the various roles of the chondrocranium is limited, and though snapshots of chondrocranial development in various species at isolated time points are valuable and informative, these cannot provide the data needed to determine the functions of the chondrocranium, or its relationship to the dermatocranium in evolution, in development, or in disease. Observations of the spatiotemporal associations of chondrocranial cartilage, cartilage bone, and dermal bone over early developmental time are available for many vertebrate species and these observations represent the data from which we can build hypotheses. The testing of those hypotheses requires precise control of specific variables like developmental time and molecular signaling that can only be accomplished in a laboratory setting. Here, we employ recent advances in contrast-enhanced micro computed tomography to provide novel 3D reconstructions of the embryonic chondrocranium in relation to forming dermal and cartilage bones in laboratory mice across three embryonic days (E13.5, E14.5, and E15.5). Our observations provide support for the established hypothesis that the vertebrate dermal (exo-) skeleton and endoskeleton evolved as distinct structures and remain distinct. Additionally, we identify spatiotemporal patterning in the development of the lateral wall, roof, and braincase floor of the chondrocranium and the initial mineralization and growth of the bones associated with these cartilages that provides support for the hypothesis that the chondrocranium serves as a scaffold for developing dermatocranial bones. The experimental protocols described and data presented provide tools for further experimental work on chondrocranial development.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Kathleen Pitirri
- Department of Anthropology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Kazuhiko Kawasaki
- Department of Anthropology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Joan T Richtsmeier
- Department of Anthropology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA
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